Geeh, sorry for the rant but I had it with Mercedes now.

Been a big fan of MB (E, CLK and ML) the last 10 years but only had a ton of problems with them. Yes, only little Scheisse but it piles up to a big pile of

Just had my ML serviced and was told that the vapor canister and valves need replacement - getting intermittent check engine light with P0440 vacuum leak error.

$1200 for parts and labor - WTF?!?! The car just kit the 60k mls. Before the air pump, electrons control board in the trunk.

I'm driving around 20k mls/year, hence lease is not a good option and I always buy 1-2 year old car for lower price and factory warranty.

I'm leaning towards a newer Subaru Outback or a Ford Focus. I rather spend more money on my 914 than on my daily driver.

My priorities are low maintenance/fuel and top safety (side and rear airbags) and if possible AWD.

Open for suggestions......and a cold beer.

BMW or Audi

I just hit 150k miles on my Audi A6. sure it has its little problems nothing but nothing major. I have had multiple audis and I love them. I did just drive around in a newer ford fusion and it was nice but I hate the plastic feeling of the dash.
just my 2 cents

hyundia

Tesla

Wife's E500 will be our last as well. Big brother watches and won't honor warranty claims if you don't have your oil changed at the dealership.

I swore off MB in the 80's. What you guy's are saying now was true then, also. I found that the more people spent on cars the less likely they were to admit it was a pile of . After we sold both of our MB's I bought us a couple of Nissan's. One of them went a 170K with one alternator change and the other was traded in at 150K before it needed an alternator, too!

I have always had good luck with Hondas.....they always seem to be priced better than most other brands as well especially if you are going for a certified pre-owned.
I have had several Fords that I had for 10+ years and 150K miles with no issues (Rangers and Explorers).
Your Subaru option is a good one. I work with several people who own the brand and love them to death.
Good Luck!

Warning Start Of Rant!!!!!!

Car (2008 SL550 bought from this dealer “certified pre-owned” with 22K miles) was brought in for B Service (40K miles now). After the service I was told I needed new motor mounts $1100 not covered by warranty . I scheduled the mounts and got in the car, the steering wheel had a new large scrape, gouge in it . I brought it back the following week, dropped it off and for the mounts and wheel. When I picked it up there was a humming sound and the steering wheel was not repaired. Brought it back the next day and they told me I needed new rear tires, $1000, why didn't you tell me that at the B Service ? Ordered new tires and came back in to have them, and the steering wheel, installed. I asked how long it was going to take and they told me 2-3 hours. I said "good I have to pick up my wife at 3:15" they said "no problem". I came back at 2:45 and the car was not ready. I asked how long it was going to take and they said they are torqueing the wheels now and it should be done in a few minutes. I used a loaner car to go get my wife and came back to the dealer. The car was still not done ! I asked how long and they said they are washing the car now! I told them I needed to go so don't bother washing it! They said OK I will go get it! At 5:15 they finally brought the car around and had me pay for the tire install. My wife and I got in the car and it was very hot inside like the car had been sitting outside in the sun. I had a meeting 45 minutes away and I was late so I left. While driving to the meeting it kept getting hotter and hotter, the AC was not working! It worked great when I dropped it off !! I brought it back in and they agreed to look at it no charge and if it is an easy fix they would do it! They let me go back into the shop to see how professional the shop is and watch the repair in person. I stood there for 2.5 hours watching the Service Supervisor plug in and unplug a series of computers 4-5 times and check the AC charge. He finally gave up and said I “your car” needs a new computer because his computer couldn't communicate with mine and he needed to keep the car another day! By now I am very frustrated, so I get a loaner car and go home! Every couple of days I would call and they would say, "we can't figure it out!" They replaced the computer and it still didn't work. I told them to keep the car until the figure it out! About a week goes by and I have to call them again. They say they still can't find the problem. This is getting out of hand. Another two weeks goes by and I call them again to ask what is going on? They say that it has to be the compressor, that’s all that is left and they are not going to pay for it $1200 ! I told them to get my car done, it’s been 3 1/2 weeks, and that I am 99% sure it was the compressor ! I tell the manager to do the repair but if it is not the compressor then they need to figure it out and not charge me! He agrees and says I will call you tonight! No call, so the next day I call and they say "it will be done tomorrow, I will call you tonight"! No call, so I show up at the shop on Wednesday and they call the Service Supervisor over and he explains that the high pressure hose liner had collapsed inside and clogged the pipe (My guess is they kinked it when they did the motor mounts.). They then say the car will be done on Friday. I was going out of town so I told them I will pick it up on Monday. On Monday I show up and they tell me that when they went to do it, on Friday (????????), they didn't have the part so they ordered it and it will be done when it comes in! I call them on the following day and they say it will be done tomorrow! They did cover the repair cost and they did finally replace the steering wheel! All in all it worked out but it was a nightmare for me!
So then 6 months later I take my Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes (CPO) to have the A Service and my headlight bulb replaced and the dealer says the headlight housing is leaking and has allowed water in to blow my Bi-Zenon ballast unit. The cost to repair is $2800!!!!!! I walk out into the shop to look at the light with the mechanic and notice some caulking around the outside of the light housing……WTF is this, I ask. The mechanic says someone must have tried to repair it before. I tell him the only people to touch this car is the dealer where I purchased it “CPO”! It is now 1000 miles out of warranty and they refuse to cover it! I am tired of fighting with Mercedes I ended up purchasing a used headlight housing and putting in myself for $300!
I have lost confidence that the mechanics of today have the basic diagnostic/repair skills necessary to objectively look at a problem from a mechanical perspective, and they put too much faith in computer diagnostics!
OK, sorry for the rant but this is a car that cost $115,000 when it was new and only has 40k miles!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like you need a better Dealer / Service Department.

We are on our second Mercedes and have had no real large problems. something with the drivers side power window that cost about 600.00 on the first one and they both go through tires fast.
First one a 2003 C240 4Matic, she ran that one to 150K with regular dealer servicing.
We only traded it cause she wanted a newer model. it was so clean it sold off their lot in a week even with the high mileage.
now a 2011 C300 4Matic. She loves this one. Pano roof and all the toys.
The service is expensive but they pick up the car at her job and deliver it washed when its done. the convenience is worth a couple extra dollars.

So I wouldn't write off the whole company based on that dealership.

Click to view attachment

Pic next to my Raptor.

We bought a new Jetta in 2007 for $20k, fast forward to 2014, 105k miles, no problems and it drives like it did the day we left the lot. We did have one minor sensor go out that wasn't covered by the extended warranty, but thats it. VW does try to sell you crazy service check-ups, but they seem somewhat useless besides the oil changes.

My wife likes it so much we are looking at new Passats now. A Subaru Outback would be my second choice as they have lots of room and can tow, also the new forester gets 32 mpg highway.

A v6 Camry/Accord or Altima would be a good choice too, they are all fast and reliable. They all have extensive option packages available too. I've also rented the new ford fusions and I quite like them with the larger ecoboost motor, nice car and something like 40 mpg highway.

I really like the BMW's too, but I think they are some where in the middle for problems between VW and MB. So cost of ownership would be much more then the above mentioned.

Goodluck

Yes, I changed from the nightmare Dealer Pleasanton Mercedes to Walnut Creek Mercedes but the damage is done! Since I purchased it at Pleasanton and they were the only ones to work on it I was hoping they would honor a true CPO Vehicle.........Not!!!

NEVER Deal with Pleasanton Mercedes!!!!!

Since the warranty is now expired I have done most of the work myself! The internet is my best friend when it comes to repairing my car now!

Drivers door would not open, quoted $500 from Pleasanton Mercedes and bought the part myself for $12 and installed it!

Roof would not go down, quoted $1100 from Pleasanton Mercedes and bought the parts myself for $38 and installed them!

Of course the headlight quoted $2800 from Pleasanton Mercedes and found one used for $300 and installed it myself!

Pleasanton Mercedes would have charged me $5000 to fix the AC if I had not written to Mercedes QC Headquarters!

All this on a 40K mile car??????

Jeff, that's a ridicules story about your SL550! Not saying that I don't believe you but the you have to deal with a $120k car with only 40k mls.

I guess it will be a Subaru.

The 550 engines are having issues with cylinders… Currently developing a Nickies program for the MBZ line of V8 engines.

Its a lot of fun.

Yes it has been a total nightmare! I will never purchase another expensive over priced car!

What kind of problems??

Audi

Have a 2004 S4 Avant that was a dealer demo in Florida.
Great car!
Had a 1984 5000 that was also a dealer demo (yes, the maligned one). It was underpowered, and after about 14 years developed minor electrical annoyances, but was a good car.

The 2004 product is far superior.

There are MANY Audis up here, and haven't met anyone unhappy.

(My buddy mechanic has worked at MB for years....he prefers BMW and Audi)

tires @ $500 a piece? . sounds like a nightmare of a car. makes 'the leader of my (ex)service team' @ chrysler sound almost smart. he explained to me how important it was to replace the crappy eagle gt tires, that were to the wear bars @27k, on the cruiser my wife drives with the same tire. him "you really need speed rated tires with the turbo engine". me "do you REALLY think my wife drives at 130mph?" words exchanged and the service manager comes out of the woodwork letting me know how correct the team leader was. never went back.

Hey Jeff, Having the same problem with A/C in my super duty truck. took truck in to dealer, they said it was a relay, after $387 leave and after a hour its hot again, take it back they said nothing wrong, n/c but hot again after ten minute's, call them back and said I would bring it back after vacation went camping and on the way back check engine comes on 5 codes, four are the same when we were at WCR2013 at the Dalles, Oregon. arguing about warranty from Ford, same parts and they want $7000 to fix. I might be contacting someone at Ford.Going tomorrow for the fight wish me luck. John

Actually, I never had any issues with the drive train. It's all those little gimmicks/add-ons that brake and cost a ton e.g. If you build a electric trunk, it should last as long as the car and not require repairs after 4 years!

I have had 4 MB (2)E class (2)C above average success over 650,000 miles on 4 cars the dealers make huge difference some are bad other work with you! I have had great success with the older cars the new cars they look as cash cows

It seems that these days, you're really traveling in mobile computers, and they're getting too complex for the dealers to repair.

At the Parade, I attended a talk by a technician showing pictures of their training on a 918. Though it is an amazing car, the technical difficulties in servicing such a vehicle makes my stomach turn.

Makes me long for simpler, basic cars to get you around for a daily driver. Since I only have a 1.9 mile commute to my office, my Scion xB with 100,000 on the odo will probably stay my office car forever. I then can appreciate the Porsches for the nice weekend drives!

My wife's honda minivan is ready to hit 200K with just gas and occasional oil changes. Regular wear stuff like shocks, brakes and tires. All done by our local mech who still writes up repairs by hand. If a $30K minivan can go 200k without any love, why cant the expensive cars do it?

Simple answer, if you drive a $200k car you have lots of money, and even more you keep in bags at home. All the dealer wants to do is share. Sharing is good, as I'm sure your mother taught you, and the dealer is just trying to help you with that. Your mother would never lie, would she? It's a GOOD thing, really, so just give the nice man your money.

just a nice bit of socialism, so true!
i think ive heard this same thing from somewhere else before as well, where was that, oh, yea now i remember! the last DMC(democrat national convetion), right before they announced *b*m* care etc. LOL! its.
- back on topic, i've heard similar stories about newer BMW's as well. I have a friend that has had a handful of BMW's, and now has 2 seven series cars, hers is a 2008, his is a 2012. He said he would go back to his 2004-5 cars in a second and that the older the better regarding same stuff we've heard here. ANother local independant mechanic that is originally from Germany( now in his 50's, 30 years experience with Mercedes, but also Porsche and BMW) and he said stay away from high milage BMW's that are after mid-2000's because the all eventually develope oil leaks and when they do you cant fix it. - some one can correct me but i think it has to do with the mag blocks and warpage problems.

i am looking right now myself at 2004 530I and love the car. Probably will buy it. like new low milage and one original owner that says no problems and records to show for it. --- on the other hand the car we are replacing that was totalled last month was a 2004 Jag x-type - never had any issues 140k miles and all i did was tires and wheels, brakes, shocks, struts, and rear control arms and bushings. - i did all those myself, only thing i had dealer do in 9 years was thermostat and water pump, i think that was $750 for both.

- i would look at slightly used jags, audi, VW, Hyundai-excellent warrenty and service-, and older low milage BMW-s. I may go back to Jag - but ive also run Suburbans up over 375k miles as well-
pw.,

We have really enjoyed our Honda Civic Si. 07 model bought new for 21k. It has 130k miles now with zero issues. Regular filter and oil changes and several sets of tires. It has worn very well. It has high bolstered seats and I was afraid the seat edge would wear out climbing over the bolsters. They still look great after all these years. We had planned on handing the car down to our son for his first car. My wife said she isnt giving it up. So he will be driving a Honda powered 914 for his school car.

My 05 Dodge 2500 diesel is close to 230k miles. I have been thru 3 water pumps and a fan clutch all replaced by myself. I had to replace the fuel lift pump a few months ago 130.00 overall about 800.00 in repairs in 09 years. I plan on keeping it till 500k miles then I will think about another one.

Probably better to keep your politics either in the sandbox or to yourself. First because those are the rules, but more because someone might feel compelled to respond in kind, and then things tend to get ugly in a hurry.

Sure, happy to help.

I could build you a Corolla if you want a economical car… we build about 600 of em a shift… :-)

Mine turned out to be the High Pressure Line. When they installed the motor mounts they jacked the motor up and left the line attached. This streached the line to the point that the inside liner detached inside the line. When I would first start the car in the morning it would work but if I stopped and restarted the car it would be hot!

The line was $96 and a recharge but they covered it for me!

$2800 for a headlight?? Now I don't feel so bad having to spend $3000 to get the engine rebuilt on my Honda Element. Although it would have been nice if somebody had told me that the valve clearances need manual adjusting.

Yes but that is at the Mercedes dealer, installed!

Here is the part not from a dealer and it is "only" $1399+shipping!

Mercedes Headlight

Installation involved removing and reinstalling the front fender, bumper and light!

320 000 kms on our Fiat Multipla turbo Diesel. Still running.

...

Buy a brand new Hyundai fully loaded for the price of a couple year old german car thats just starting to need maintenance and you have 100k miles and 10 years that hyundai will deal with everything. And they really dont break.

20k hard miles on my wifes Genesis coupe and its been just oil changes.

Were planning on buying a Santa Fe in a couple years and I'll be selling most of my toys. Its just not worthing spending tons of time fixing daily drivers.

Owned an E320 for 15 years. Lot of issues. What I found- Perform your own work, or find a really good Independent service shop, or lease. Buy your parts on-line, not from a dealer. Join the MBZ board and you will find as much repair advice as exists here.
They make their money on financing and repairs.

I had to go in for the yearly inspection. but had disconnected the battery for some reason several days before. Well when they hooked up the computer it wouldn't perform the OBD readout. They gave me a list of sensors that needed to be repaired for a cost of over 4000$ dollars. Dawned on me I had disconnected the battery. All that was needed was to perform a drive cycle on the car and it was now ready for the OBD testing. Passed with no additional expense.

My wife loves the Bmws her last 5 series had trouble with electrical, coolant system and trans..;-( fun car to drive but too much trouble. She's now in a new 3 series and I'm wondering when the trouble will start? I know leasing is expensive but it would be nice to have an "out " if the car starts having issues.. Seems like every brand has an issue....